1. Rural and Remote Populations

2. Defining Rural and Remote Populations
 Approximately 70% of Australians live in
metropolitan areas (urban)
 Approximately 26% of the population live in
regional centres
 Only about 3% of the population live in remote
areas of Australia
Coober Pedy

3. Characteristics Compared with urban populations, Australians
living in rural and remote centres experience the
following:
 LE ↓ as level of remoteness↑
 Higher rates of morbidity(illness) and mortality
(death)
 Higher rates of CVD, T2DM, some cancers (particularly
lung & skin cancer, & detectable cancers i.e. cervical
cancer) and obesity (particularly in women)
 Higher rates of mental health conditionssuch as
depression and suicide (particularly men and youth)
ATLAS- Victoria’s health and resources across all regions

4. Biological Determinants
• ↑ rates of overweight & obesity
• ↑ rates of low birth weight babies (+2%)

5. Behavioural Determinants
There are numerous
behavioural factors that
account for the difference
in health statusfor rural and
remote populations.
Some of these include:
 Low levels of physical activity
 Excessive consumptionof
alcohol

6. Behavioural Determinants cont…
High risk recreationalpursuits
 High risk driving behaviours
 Higher rates of smoking

7. Physical Environment Determinants
High UV exposure (work outdoors)
Increased exposure to risk factors such as
workplace and farming injuries
 Increased morbidity and mortality from
motor vehicle accidents (unsafe roads)
Impact of drought or flood (depression & suicide)

8. Social Determinants  Food insecurity (1.2x) due to transport costs
= high consumption of processed foods
(↑sodium, ↑fat, ↑sugar)
Poorer access to health care facilities
Late diagnosis of conditions
Low access to health professionals

9. Social Determinants cont…
Education
• ↓rates of school completion
Employment
• Lower salaries
• Higher rates unemployment
• Reduced opportunities for skilled and professional
Employment
Higher rates of social isolation and lack of support and connectedness

10. Strategies Beyond Blue ‘Don’t Beat about the Bush!’
Raise awareness of depression
Provide opportunitiesfor
knowledge
Encourage people to seek
support and assistance
Provide support and assistance
 Drought Awareness Bus

11. Strategies cont… Desert Acrobats
 1 week workshop in gymnastics, sport, contemporary
dance, traditional Aboriginal dance and performance
 Promote physical activity amongst rural /remote youth
 Promote self-esteem, confidence and build resilience

12. Revise Use the determinants of health to explain the
health status of rural and remote populations
in Australia.